Rethymnon Town Crete

This page may contain affiliate links, see our disclaimer here.

Ρέθυμνο - we love Rethymnon town. There is so much to see and do, we never stop discovering new spots. We are happy to share some of our favourites. Known for its picturesque old town and Venetian harbour, travellers will find a world of history here, in the north coast of Crete.

Ρέθυμνο is on the north coast 80 km from Heraklion, and 60 km from Chania; it is capital of the region of the same name.

History

Walking Notes for the Old Town

Town Beach

Tavernas, Cafés & Restaurants

Enjoy the highlights of the Old Town of Rethymnon:

The characteristic narrow streets
The tightly packed little Old Venetian Harbour
The tiny Rimondi Fountain on the north end of Petichaki Square
The Venetian Loggia
The ruins of the Venetian Fortezza
The Porta Guora or Great Gate which formed the entrance to the old town
The Minaret of the Nerantze Mosque
The Historical and Folk Museum
Take a walking tour of the historic town with food tastings
Cruise on an old pirate ship to hidden caves and beaches

Rethymnon Town - harbour (image by Romtomtom)

Rethymnon Town from across the bay

Ρέθυμνο, Crete (image by Robert Paul Young)

Looking across the rooftops to the hills behind Rethymnon

History

This town was built on the site of ancient Rithymna, part of the ancient Minoan civilisation.

Rethymnon shares the long and colourful history of Crete. The ancient Minoan period from 2600 to 1100 BC, the Geometric and Daedalian period 1100-620 BC, the Classical 500-330 BC and Hellenistic 330-67 BC periods and Greco-Roman period 67 BC-323 AD.

After the First Byzantine period 330-824 came the years of Arab rule between 824-961, after liberation the Second Byzantine period 961-1210 after which came Venetian and Genoan rule then Turkish rule for 400 years. Liberation came again in 1898 after many terrible and rebellious years. Unification with the modern state of Greece came in 1913.

The Fortezza overlooking the sea (photo by dalbera)

The ruins of the Venetian Fortezza overlooking the sea

The Venetian Fortress on the tip of the peninsula, is in ruins. The original was constructed in the sixteenth century. Coins from the Minoan civilization have been found on this site. We can guess that a shrine or sanctuary was located here, worshipping gods and goddesses and dolphins from the sea as depicted on the coins.

Rethymnon Crete - ruins of Venetian Fortezza

The walls of the old harbour with the Venetian lighthouse, looking to the west to the beach

Walking Around Rethymnon

The Porta Guora or Great Gate marks the transition from the old town to the new town, dating from 1568.

The narrow medieval streets and the Porta Guora or Great Gate mark the transition from the old town to the new town, dating from 1568.

The first place to seek out in the old town is the Rimondi Fountain from 1626 in Plateia Petichaki. It is known as the Liondaria...the Lions. This is a small fountain in a tight plateia, in the centre of the old town.

Walking the lane ways, shopping and exploring, you will find many attractive narrow streets with inviting cafes. Leave plenty of time to stroll around.

The Minaret of the Neratze Mosque from 1657, was built on the Venetian church of Santa Maria, and is now used as a music school.

All around the old town are wonderful examples of architecture in various states of repair, each with a story to tell.

The tight old harbour of Rethymnon with its many Venetian townhouses and restaurants is quite touristy and touts can be a little too eager, it leads on to the lighthouse, and on to the long sandy town beach to the east.

The Venetian Loggia, from the 16th century, used to be a gentlemen’s club and is now the Rethymnon information office, is just down from the Liondaria.

All around the old town, Venetian doorways and doors are to be discovered, like the one below, which is the entrance to the Veneto Restaurant. These doorways have inspired the art of the doors of Crete by Dalius Art.

The entrance to Veneto Restaurant in Rethymnon Crete - 4 Epimenidou St

Rethymnon Town Beach

Rethymnon Beach stretches for 13 km east of the old town

Rethymnon Beach is a wide, long, sandy beach with many different types of accommodation options such as hotels, apartments and pensions, as well as beautiful luxury resorts dotted all along it.

Choose from plenty of water activities, tavernas, cafes, restaurants and beach bars.

Tavernas, Cafés and Restaurants

Of the many restaurants in the old Rethymnon town, we have a few favourites including the Taverna Akri, Veneto and Taverna Kapilio close to the Rimondi fountain

We love wandering along Odos Kefalogiannidon, enjoying the café strip by the fortezza at sunset.

We love the outdoor setting of Lemonokipos - the name means 'Lemon Garden - and the modern Greek stylish menu.

For a truly Cretan experience, head to the village of Asteri about 14 km east of town, to taste traditional Cretan cuisine at Poliou House. Enjoy live Kritiki music between May to October on Thursday evenings.

More about Cretan Music and Dance here.

Rethymnon Festivals

Rethymnon Karnival Poster

The Carnival at Rethymnon town, three weeks of parades, fancy dress balls and theatre sketches wakes everyone up from winter. The whole town parties during the three weeks before Lent. The Carnival is a vibrant showcase of Greek Culture, incorporating dance, theatre and art and well as traditional costumes, activities and games. The gem in the crown is the Grand Parade.

The summer program of events in June and July has a variety of events including theatre, art, dance and music. Some events are held in the atmospheric Erofili Theatre in the fortezza, some in Neratze mosque, and plenty of acts and excitement in the streets.

The proud presentation of Cretan folk music, flamenco, telling of fairy tales, cinema and graphic arts adding colour and life all around the town occurs each year during summer.

The Cretan Diet Festival in July sets a bucolic scene in the Municipal Garden, with barrels full of local wine, and a program of music of international quality performances, art exhibitions and of course local food and much more.

The University of Crete

The University of Crete has a campus at Gallos, 5 km from Ρέθυμνο with faculties of philosophy, social science, economics and political science as well as education, sciences and engineering and medicine. The University if a centre of research as well as learning and has separate campus in Heraklion. The University runs an international Erasmus program.

Historical Figure - Pantelis Prevelakis

Statue of Pantelis Prevelakis Rethymnon Crete

Pantelis Prevelakis - Παντελής Πρεβελάκης - was a poet and author born in Rethymnon town in 1908. His titles include 'The Sun of Death' published in 1959, and his most well known work is about Rethymnon 'The Chronical of a Town'. He studied law, philosophy, literature and art in Athens and Paris and was a known member of the Greek 'Generation of the 30's', recognised for his poetry, prose, drama and essays. He died in Athens in 1986, however his grave is in Rethymnon and his statue is in front of the town hall.

Activities in Rethymnon Town

Barbarossa Pirate Ship leaves from the harbour for a daily cruise (image by Arkangl)

Barbarossa Pirate Cruise

Check Availability

From the Venetian Harbour in Rethymnon town leaves a very special day tour with Pirate Barbarossa, AKA Dolphin Cruises. Choose from one hour or three hours cruises, fishing trips or cruises to Panormos, past dolphin waters to beautiful beaches, pirate caves and Marathi near Chania, in the beautiful Souda Bay.

Pirates were active around Crete in the 16th Century and none more fierce or wild than Barbarossa, learn more about Pirate Barbarossa.

Old Rethymnon Harbour panorama showing the pirate ship

Take a cruise on the Pirate ship from Rethymnon

Accommodation in Old Rethymnon Town

Stay within the walls of old Rethymnon town - we have chosen beautiful guesthouses with charm and plenty of local atmosphere.

The interactive map below to shows our selected accommodation options in the old town.

Beachside Accommodation

View from the balcony of Palm Beach Apartments

The Palm Beach Apartments, facing directly onto Rethymnon Beach allow easy access to all parts of town as well as being strolling distance from the old town and numerous tavernas, cafes and restaurants down by the promenade and Old Harbour.

These modern apartments are well-priced and convenient, with bright modern rooms, great service and a family atmosphere.

Exploring Around Rethymnon
Daytrips

There is plenty to see around the prefecture of Rethymnon. Take to the hills and see the real Crete. With mountains, gorges, villages and plenty of natural interests, you will learn a little more at every step.

Arkadi Monastery, Crete (Image by Lostajy)

Arkadi Monastery is 23 km from Rethymnon through rolling hills and gorges. This place is worth the visit for the architecture alone, yet it tells one of the most fascinating stories of Crete's rebellious history.

Margarites Church (image by Yiannis Makrakis)

Margarites Village is 30 km south-east from Rethymnon in gorge country. This village is famous for its ceramics. Nearby is the historic site of Eleftherna and the notorious Melidoni cave.